Machine for winding pirns



July 1 5, 1952 F. c. RAwsoN 2,603,424

MACHINE FOR WINDING PIRNS Filed March 13, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 15, 1952 F. c. RAwsoN MACHINE FOR WINDING PIRNS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 15, 1950 Innen/Zr:

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July l5, 1952 F. c. RAwsoN 2,603,424

MACHINE FOR WINDING PIRNS Filed March 15, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented July 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIcE '1 v jz,toa,4:z4t i i .if

MCHINE FOR WINDING PIRNSI I l l Frederick CharleslRawson, Fordcombe, ngland,V t n g assignorofone-half to. Ravrsons (Labelling Machines) Limited," Tunbridge Wells, England s Application March l, 1950, Serial No. 149,363 l' Y In Great Britain May 10,v 1949 j 28 Claims.

, `'I'his invention relates to machines for winding yarn or like material upon `pirns, or tubes which are adapted to be placed in the shuttles of looms, in layers at an angle to the axis of the pirn or tube so that the finished pirn has a tapered end or ends.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved machine for the above purpose which is capable of winding a pirnof any predetermined diameter, and a further object is to enable the said predetermined diameter to be maintained irrespective of the varying thickness of the yarn, wool or other material being wound.

The invention comprises heads or centres Yfor rotatably carrying and driving a pirn, a slidable. supportor carriage carrying a displaceable thread guide and means for effecting reciprocatio of the guide for' winding, and means. for eecting progressive displacement of the carriage relativeto the pirn in accordance with the built Yup diameter of the material wound thereon.

The invention also comprises a machine for the purpose described, comprising heads of centres .for rotatably carryingand driving a pirn, a slidable support or carriage carrying a displaceablethread guide and means for effecting reciprocation'of the guide for winding, and hydraulic means forV effecting or controlling progressive displacement of the supporter carriage relativeto the pirn in accordance with the built up diameter of the material-wound thereon.

VThe invention further comprises an'arrangementvaccording to either of the two preceding paragraphs, including a former adapted to be engaged by the material built up on the pirnv'and displaceable with respect thereto, and means actuated by such displacementzfor eiiectingpro,-

gressive displacement of the support or carriage.A

feature of the invention, the hydraulic devicev comprises a piston and cylinder containing hydraulic medium arranged to resist displacement of the carriage against loading spring means,

and a' control valve actuated -by displaceablev means vsuch as a former for detecting theA diameter of the wound material and for opening vthe valve ,when a predetermined diameterh'is reached toA permitprogressive displacement of the carriage, Preferably the detecting means comprises a former of conical or similar shape arranged to be displaced parallelwith the axis of the pirn by the'b'uiltup-material for actuating the valve, and arrangedto be returnedto 'its' initial position forclosing the valve by themovement of. the carriage. The carriagefisthus advanced in aseries of steps as the Winding pro.- ceeds. i Y, Y l According to a further feature of the invention, means is provided for forming a reserve or bunch of yarn at the commencement of winding, comprising a displaceable fulcrum `for an oscillating.

thread guide whereby the travel off theguide. A

can be reduced for forming thebunch, means for holding the fulcrum in bunch forming posi-v tion, andv means for 4vreleasinarsaid fulcrum Vtov permit its return to full travel position when the bunch reaches a predetermined diameter. Preferably the thread guide is carried on an oscillating arm actuated by a rotary cam on the carriage, the fulcrum for the arm being slidable on guides and adapted to be heldin bunch forming position by a catch which is released by means engageable by the bunch. E

According to a further feature of the invention, the lmachine is driven by an electric motor having a control switch arrangedftoA be openedV by trip means when the carriagereaches they end ofits travel, i; e. whenthe pirn is fullywgnd. TheV trip Ime'ans conveniently comprises a catch engageable with a spring loaded switch' actuating member and a member on the. carriage engageable with the catch to release it, such member conveniently comprising a push rod having an .inclined or cam surface for operating the In the accompanying drawings, I Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pirn winding machine constructed in accordance with the invention; s 1 Figure 2 is a plan of the machine; l Figure 3 is a cross section of the machine taken onfthe line X-X of Figure 1; s l

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the hydraulic cylinder and control valve; Figure 5 is an end view of the cylinder with the cover removed; s

Figure 6 is an elevation of ja part of the former which engages 'the pirn during winding, showing the. operating lever;

Figure 7 isa's'ection taken:v on the line,

Figure 6;

members, l and 2 mounted on a suitable base.,

(not shown) and between which extend a pair shown in Figure 3. Pivotally secured to the other end of the latch lever is a second lever 35 carrying at its end a roller 36. rThis roller lever 35 rests upon a fulcrum bar 3'! which is adjustably mounted in the slide 29 and is disposed so thatwhenthe slide is heldinitsupper position bythe latch as seen in :Figure 3, the roller 36 occupies a determined position laterally relative tothe pirn being wound, this position being variof horizontal guide bars 3 and @conveniently of' circular cross section arranged one abovev the other. A horizontal drivingA shaftiscarried' Vin l bearings 6, preferably of the/ball'typ'eg. mounted in.`

the vertical frame members` l and 2"so' that the' shaft lies between the guide bars 3 and 4.u `A pirn.

driving head 'l is rotatably mounted in al suitable^ bearing 8 in the frame member 2 abovethe guide Suitable means is. provided for driving the bar 3. shaft .5 and the drivingqhead 1 from a motor or otherconvenient source of power. *In aconvenf ient arrangement as illustrated'an electric motor 9 is connectediby a pulley I6 an'dfbelt tito an intermediate pulley assembly 2 carried on aspindle I3 fixed to `the frame member'2. The shaft- ;5`- is driven by a jbelt' I4; andtheghead 'l isdriven-byja'V belt |15 from the pulley assembly I2.' @Preferably pulleysof' graduated sizes vas'ls'llown lare provided so that vthe speedscanl be variedby shifting the belts. A tailstock member I6 is adjustablyslidable on the guide bars Band 4 and carries a bearing llfcr arunning headwhichis aligned'with the pi'rn` driving head fl, the adjustmentbeing'for the `purpose of varying lthe distance betweenthe running and driving centres to'f'ac'comrnodate y pirns of different length. The running head i3' i'saxiallysildable under the loading of a spring l 9.' A support Yor 'carriage' 2 0 `is'sli'dable uponthe glldefbarsbetween thejtailstock member f6 and the vertical frame member Zicarryingthedriving headA 1.1 V'Ihe carriage ZDfcarries 'arotatable'cylindrical cam 2l-which is slidable upon the driving shaft 5 andinas a key-2`2f which engagesin a keyway extendingthe: Afullvlengtl'rof the latter. `The cam has a continuous slot 23 inclined' tothe` cam' axis and in'this slot isengaged Ya pin 2 4' on an arm 25 pivoted to the carriageso that asitliecamvr revolves the 'arm is os'eill'ated. A 'thread guide, which may comprisevr an elongated wire ldop or gate 26 is `carried'at'rthe-upper end of an armf21', the lower jend of' whichis` engagedv by the afore-,r said-pivoted arm-25.` Thesthread guide' arm 2T able by adjusting the fulcrum bar 3T. The arrang'ement'is such that when the build-up of yarn on the pirn reaches a predetermined diam- .eter, thefroller 36. will be engaged and willrmove lthe latch' to 'relea'sethe slide 29 which returns to vits lowest position. Also mounted at the upper `end'cifvtlie carriage' is a former 36 comprising a 'cone orsim'ilarly shaped member disposed with passes thrcugrra fulcrunrfjoint 28.' in aslide 295 which can j have an up vand'fdown movement on guides 36,'its lowest'positionibeing: determined by; astop A3l; preferably adjustable( Infthelowest position of the slide'as seen in FigureLithe threadguide' 26y is given its Amaximum movement 'alongf side a pirn to be wound, and by moving the slide up the aforesaid guides, the-fulcrum of the arm Zis valtered andthe guidejmovementris reduced. A-jspring steel rod 32` xed. to handle :'IL isfree at its lower end to engage the under. side of fulcrum point 284 sc .thatwhenl the completed pirn has vbeen removed the carriage 20 isrpushed forward to starting position by handpressure on handle 1l, the first part of the travel kof handle tl-forces the rod 32 .under fulcrlum 28fcausing slide23 to rise on guides 3l),v until trapped by latch lever 33thereby setting the buncher device.V A latch lever 33 is pivotally mounted' at 34' at the upper' end of the carriage 2.0 and its lower end its axis parallel to that of the pirn being wound and slidable axially upon a spindle 39 secured in a bracket 40. VThe former .38 is capableofqbeing' ,displaced axially by engagementllwith'rthe taper of theyarn which is beingA wound when the diameter of the taperfis sufcient'.v vSuche'xial displacement of `the former tiltsV a lever 4 l piyotedj at`42V on a xed bracket 43. The lever 4| is'preij'-I erablyof bell crank form and one arm 44"is con`v nected by a link 45 to meansV for effecting aprogressive displacement'of' the carriage Vuponits guides. This arrangement is shown in'detail Figures vSand?. The bracket 46 carrying the former is adjustable'transversely withrespect to the 'axis of the pirn. The former is preferably freely rotatable vuponits spindle 33; i The means for'displacingjthe carriage 20ico1nprise a pair of pvotedlevers 46 in V formation, the outer4 ends of which are'pivoted respectively to the :carriage and the tailstock' [6. j Springs/41 connect the lower endsV of the leversso thatv these tendf to closeand thus there is provided a re#-y silient force constantly drawing"v ithe carriage towards the tailst'c'ick.v Other meansfor providing a resilient displacing'forcernayof coursefbe employed. 'lhemovement of the `carriage urn-z der this spring actinis controlled by a hydraulic device, comprising a cylinder 48 attached to' the carriage 20 and y a Y pistonV 49" and piston' rod-56 secured to the end frame member! oppositeto the-driving` head1. Thecylinder 48v is'closedatv one end and the closed end carries an extension 5| forming a closed rservoir vfor `'oil or otherv hydraulic medium.V vCommu'r'iic'z'ation between the closed cylinder end and the reservoir is controlled by avalve 52 which can be actuatedA bythe above mentioned link 45'operatedby'the displaceable former- 38. v The valve is preferably vof piston fbrrr'il having aV control groove 53 and li'sconnectedl'to alpivoted levert'ul,v the lever` being connectedl intermediately to 'the link 45. vThe valve 52 vvconis adapted to engage the aforesaid vslide 29 yto v hold the latter in its upper position when vthe slide lis moved upwardly to engage the latch asy trolsa.'V passage 55, 56. "A second passage 57i-'coni-v trolled by a non-return ball valve 58 permits liq' uid to pass from the'reservoir 5I to the "cylinder 48 but not vice versa. The arrangement-is suchthat with the valve 52 closed, theliquid is trapped between the'piston 49 and the` cylinder and the carriage 20 is held against Yther pull of the loa'ding spring arrangement. When'the former 38 is displaced by the increase in 'diameter ofl'the' wound pirn, the valve 52 is opened by the mech-1 anism described and the carriage 20 is moved by' the springloaded levers'46 ltowards the tailstock i. Thismovementcausesthe former 38`to re" turn to itsprevious position and thetval'vehlizy is closed, the sequence of movements being re# y peated when ther diameter of the'wound yyarn is again suicientjto displace the former 36;'.

The electric motor 9 foroperating the machine is controlled by a switch '59, the details of which are illustrated in Figure 8. The switch actuating member is a` spring loaded rod 60 having a push button 6i vat one end thereof. By depressing the buttonA 6l the rod is moved axially and an insulated sleeve 52 asso'ciat'edtherewith causes a pair of contact strips 63 to move outwardly and close the motor circuit. The switch is held in closed position by a catch 64 ,engageablein a groove B5 in the rod El).y The catch Slis connected with a square operating bar 64a which extends over the length ofthe machine and carries two -arms 66 and 61. Actuation of either of these arms rotates the square bar 64a and releases the aforesaid catch 64 from vthe switch rodthus enabling .the switch to open under its loading spring. The first of said arms 66 is referred toas a trip arm and is engageable by an inclined or cam formation 68 on a pushrod B9 attached to the carriage 20, causing the switch to open when the carriage Vhas completed the travel required to wind the pirn to the` desired length. The second of said arms 61 is referred to as a knock-o i arm and is connected by means of a light rod or wire (not shown) to an overhead tensioning arm or device which may lbe of a known kind. The arrangement is such that should the thread break during the winding,l .the knock-off arm 61 is actuated and the switch is opened, thus bringing the machine to-rest.

In the operation of the machine, the empty pirn is placedlin position to be wound by applying the metal end thereof to the driving centre 'I anddepressing the spring loaded running centre I8 to engage the smallvend of the pirn. The driving head 1 carries a pad or ring 10 of rubber or like material and thethread from the overhead tensioning device (n-ot shown) is trapped between the pad 10 and the metal end of the pirn. The yarn is then passedthrough the loop or gate of the thread guide 26. `The carriage ils/.moved by hand to the starting posi. tion, i. e. as far as possible towards thel driving head 1, and a suitable finger ypiece or handle I I may be provided for this purpose. vThis movement is permitted by the non-returnvball valve 51 between the reservoir 5| andhydraulic cylinder VNif-'allowing the liquid to ow freely into the latter but locking the carriage against movement in the opposite direction. If the pirn being r wound is intended for use in an automatic loom, a reserve quantity or bunchl of yarn is required at the start of the pirn.: This is Vprovided for bymoving until it is held by the latch 33 as seen in Figyarn is built up in tapered or rounded formation as seen in the above figure, when the forma'- tion reaches a predetermined diameter it engages the face of the former38' which is thereby dis'- placed axially until it engages the lever 4| actuatingV the valve 52 of the hydraulic contr-ol device. The said diameter is determined by the lateral distance between the axis of the former andthe pirn axis and this is adjustable. Opening of the valve=52 allows thecarria'ge to move towards 'the tailstock under the action of the spring loaded levers 46 and this movement causes fthe former 38 t'o be movedV backl to its initial position and closes the valve 52 so that thev carriage is again brought to rest. Winding then continues' until the former is again engaged by thebuilt up yarn is fully wound as illustrated in Figure 1l. When the buncher slide 29- up its guides 30 ure 3, thus giving the thread guide 2B a restricted v travel as. previously described... The roller lever then adjusted, by adjusting the fulcrum bar 31'on the slide, so thatl it will be engaged vby the bunch of yarn when this has been wound to the required and predeter-v mined diameter. 'I'he machine is then started by closingthe switch 59 and will comme-nce to wind ashort bunch of yarn which will have a generally rounded outline, its length corresponding to the restricted travel of the thread guide. The

on the latch lever is winding of the bunch is illustrated in Figure 9,

When this bunch reaches the predetermined diameter, the roller lever 35 is engaged by the bunch and releases the buncher slide 29 which returns'to its lower position under gravityassisted by spring action. The thread guide will nowv be given its full range of movement as illustrated in Figure 10 and will wind a series of layers on the pirn corresponding thereto. As the this point is reached, the push rod 69 attached to the carriage actuates the trip arm 66 on thel operating bar 65 and opens the switch 59, thus stopping the drive of the machine. The machine will also be stopped if the thread should break,

as this causes the light "rod or wire associated with the thread tensioning device (not shown) to fall and thereby actuates the knock-off arm 61 to open 'the switch. The fully wound pirn will have a body portion of approximately cylindrical form with tapered or reduced ends, the section of which may be somewhat rounded. By this invention a machine is provided capable of winding a pirn of any predetermined diameter, this. diameter being maintained irrespective of varying thickness of the yarn, Wool or other material being wound. Thus the finished pirn-will always have the diameter towhich the machine is set, this setting being obtainedl by varying the lateral distance between the former and the pirn by means of the adjustable bracket carrying the former.

The invention is not restricted to the example described, since constructional details may be varied to suit particular circumstances-` 1 Iclaim: y v Y y1. A winding machine comprising hea-dsfor rotatably carrying and ydriving'a pirn or tube', a carriage yslidable relative to the pirn olf-tube', a, displaceable thread guideV mounted on said carriage, means forveffecting reciprocation ofsaid thread guide for winding, means for effecting displacement of the carriage under resilient pressure, and hydraulic means constituting an ad# justable stop for opposing said carriage displacef ment, -said hydraulic means being controlled in accordance with the built-undiameterj of the material wound upon the pirnor tube toiaford the required progressive displacement-of vthe car'- riage. u l

2. 'A winding machine accordingk to claim 1, comprising a valve for controlling the 'hydraulic means, and means responsive tothe diameter fof the built-up material for actuating the said valve. 3. A winding machine comprising headsio'r rotatably carrying and driving a pirn or'tube`a carriage slidable relative to the pirn or tube',1a` displaceable thread guide mounted onsaidfca'r'- riage means for eiecting reciprocation of said thread guide for winding, means for effecting displacement of the support under resilient pressure, a piston and cylinder containing hydraulic medium constituting an adjustable stop. opposing said Vcarriage displacement, a'va'lve controlling an Voutlet from said cylinder arranged sov 'that when the valve is closed the carriagey is held-sta# Vtiona'ry: by the. hydraulic'medium, and displaceablermeans arranged to be engaged bythe built'- upmaterial Wound on thepirn or tube to open the' said valve when'a predetermined diameter 1s reached and thereby to permit limited displacement of the carriage whereby the latter is afforded the, required progressive displacement duringwinding. i

f 45A Winding machine according to claim f3, comprising means arranged tobe engaged by the built-up material Wound on the pirn or-tube and displaceable parallel to thev axis, of the pirn or tube for actuatingthe valve to openit, the saidv means being arranged: to be returned to its ini-- tial position ior closing the valve bythe displacement of the'carriage. f Y

5. A'Ywinding machineaccording to claim 3, comprising a closed reservoir ,communicating byv al passage with Athe cylinder and thecommunicating passage being controlled by the-said valve so that on opening of the valve, liquid canrpass to the'reservoir and permit'displacement of the carriage. v y

. `6. A winding machine according te claim 3, comprising a closed reservoir communicating by a passage with the cylinder and the communicating passage beingv controlled by the said valvev so that on opening ofthe valve, liquid vcanpass to the reservoir and permit displacementV of the carriage, an additional passage affording communication between the cylinder andthe reservoir, and a non-return valve controlling said additional passage to permit the carriage to be returned toits initial position after the lwinding has been completed. i Y

7. A winding machine accordingto claim V3, comprising a cylinder mounted on the carriage withits axis parallel to the direction of displacement thereof, a piston slidable in the'cylinder and carried. by a xed rod, a closed reservoir communicating b y a passage with thecylinder, a piston valve for controlling said communicating passage, and an operative connection between said piston valve and the displaceable means arrangedy to be engaged by the built-up material; on the pirn or tube, so that the valve will be opened when a predetermined diameter of said material is reached. v f f 8. A Winding machine according to'claim 1, comprising a Vformer @icone-like shape arranged to be engaged by the materialbuilt-up on the pirn or tube and displaceable axially in a direction parallel to the axis of the pirn Vor tube when engaged by the material wound thereon, and valve `means actuated bysuch displacement for controlling thehydraulic means opposing displacementcf thecarriage to permit limited movement ofthelatten 1 9. A'winding machine according to claim 1,

comprising a former of cone-like shape rotatably mounted .andarranged to be engaged by the materialbuilt-up onfthe pirn or tube, said former beingj mounted for limited aXial ydisplacement in a` direction parallel with the axis of the pirnor tube when engagedY by the materialwound thereon, `and valve means actuated, by such displacement for controlling the hydraulic meansA opposing displacement of the carriageto permit limitedmovement of the latter, the arrangement being such that the movement of the carriage 'causes the formerl to be returned axiallyto its initial' position to actuate .the valvemeans `for stopping the movement of the Ac arriage. 10. A winding machine according to claim l,

comprisingv sprirgwrneans'for eiecting progressive displacementV of thej carriage as 'permitted by the opposing hydraulic means.

11.` A winding machine ,according toclaim -1., including means for. forming a reserve or bunch of yarnat'the commencement of Winding, com.-r prising; a displaceableffulcrum for an oscillating thread guide wherebyithe travel of the-'guide:can` be reducedy for forming the' bunch, means for. holding the fulcrum. in bunch forming position; and ima'ns. for .releasing .said fulcrumto` permit.` its returnfto full travel position whenith'e bunch;

reaches a predetermined diameter. 'I Y. l. f 1'2. vA winding machine 'according' to claim'l; including means yfor. forming a reserve .or bunch of vyarn at the commencement of Winding; com; prising a 'thread guidev carried onan oscillating.' arm actuated by a rotary cam on thel carriage', "a; fulcrum-for the arm slidable in guides, Whereby the travel ofthe threadguide can bereduced for lforming the bunch, a catchfor holding'the fulcrum in bunch formingpositionfand means en'-A gageable bythe bunch for releasing the-catch; topermit the fulcrum toreturnto full travel position of the thread guide when the bunch reaches a predetermineddiameter.'

13; A winding machine according tol claim lj including means for forming a reservef'or bunclf' of yarn vat the commencement of winding, "coin-A prising a thread guidecarried on an oscillating* arm actuated by a rotary cam on the ca rriag'efaV fulcrum for the arm slidable in guides whereby the travel of the thread guide canr bereduced for forming the bunch, av catch for holding the ful--V crum in bunch forming position, and a lever for releasing theV catch, said lever' carryinga'roller engageable by the Vbunch and arranged to release the latter to permit the fulcrum to return by gravity to full travel position of the thread guideeter.

Y 14. A winding machine according to'clain .1,

comprising an electric motor for driving the pirn or tube, a control switch for said motor, and trip means Yfor opening the switch when the' pirn or tubeis fully Wound. 15. A winding machineaccording to claim l, comprising an electric motor forv driving the pirn or tube, a control switch for said motor, a spring loadedV switch actuating member, a catch engage` able with said member to hold the switch closed, and a member on the carriage engageable with the catch to release it when the carriage reaches the end of its predetermined travel. 16. A winding 'machine according to claim 1,'Y comprising-an electric motor for Ydriving thepiirr or tube, a control switch for said motor, a Vspring loaded switch actuating member, arotatable bar extending over the length of the machine, a catch carried by said bar andr engageable with the said member ed on said bar, anda push rod'having an in-l clined surface mounted on the carriagefor en; gaging the arm to release the catchv when the carriage reaches the end of its predetermined travel.

17. Awinding machine according to claiml, comprising a former of cone-like shape arranged with its axis parallel to the pirn or tube axis so that the exterior surface of the former can be engaged by the material built-up on the pirn orv rection of its axis, said bracketv beingadjustable so` that its spacingirom-` the pirn-axis can be varied, and valvev means actuated by the axial* to hold the switch closed, an arm mount? f displacement of the former for controlling the hydraulic means opposing displacement of the carriage to permit limited movement f the latter, the diameter of the finished pirn or tube being variable by varying the setting of the adjustable bracket carrying the former.

18. A winding machine comprising heads for rotatably carrying and driving a pirn or tube, a carriage slidable relative to the pirn or tube, a displaceable thread guide mounted on said carriage, means for effecting reciprocation of said thread guide for winding, hydraulic means for controlling progressive displacement of the carriage during the winding of the pirn or tube, and means for controlling the operation of said hydraulic means in accordance with the built-up diameter of the wound material during the winding thereof.

19. A winding machine comprising heads for rotatably carrying and driving a pirn or tube, a carriage slidable relative to the pirn or tube, a displaceable thread guide mounted on said carriage, means for effecting reciprocation of said thread guide for winding, resilient means for slidably displacing the carriage relative to the pirn or tube during winding, and adjustable stop means opposing said displacement and controlled in accordance with the built-up diameter of the material wound upon the pirn or tube so that the carriage is progressively displaced during winding in accordance with said built-up diameter.

20. A winding machine according to claim 19, comprising spring means for eiecting progressive displacement of the carriage as permitted by the opposing adjustable stop means.

2l. A winding machine according to claim 19, in which the means for slidably displacing the carriage comprise a pair of pivoted levers in V formation, the outer ends of the levers being pivotally connected to the carriage and to a fixed tailstock and springs connecting the levers so as to urge them towards closed position.

22. A winding machine according to claim 19, including means for forming a reserve or bunch of yarn at the commencement of winding, comprising a thread guide carried on an oscillating arm actuated by a rotary cam on the carriage, a fulcrum for the arm slidable in guides whereby the travel of the thread guide can be reduced for forming the bunch, a catch for holding the fulcrum in bunch forming position and means engageable by the bunch for releasing the catch t0 permit the fulcrum to return to full travel position of the thread guide when the bunch reaches a predetermined diameter.

23. A winding machine according to claim 19, including means for forming a reserve or bunch of yarn at the commencement of winding, comprising a thread guide carried on an oscillating arm actuated by a rotary cam on the carriage, a fulcrum for the arm slidable in guides whereby the travel of the thread guide can be reduced for forming the bunch, a catch for holding the fulcrum in bunch forming position, and a lever for releasing the catch, said lever carrying a roller engageable by the bunch and arranged to release the latter to permit the fulcrum to return by gravity to full travel position of the thread guide when the bunch reaches a predetermined diameter.

24. A winding machine according to claim 19, comprising an electric motor for driving the pirn or tube, a control switch for said motor, and trip means for opening the switch when the pirn or tube is fully Wound.

25. A winding machine according to claim 19, comprising an electric motor for driving the pirn or tube, a control switch for said motor, a spring loaded switch actuating member, a catch engageable with said member to hold the switch closed, and a member on the carriage engageable with the catch to release it when the carriage reaches the end of its predetermined travel.

26. A winding machine according to claim 19, comprising an electric motor for driving the pirn or tube, a control switch for said motor, a spring loaded switch actuating member, a rotatable bar extending over the length of the machine, a catch carried by said bar and engageable with the said member to hold the switch closed, an arm mounted on said bar, and a push rod having an inclined surface mounted on the carriage for engaging the arm to release the catch when the carriage reaches the end of its predetermined travel.

27. A winding machine according to claim 19, comprising a former of cone-like shape arranged to be engaged by the material built-up on the plrn or tube and displaceable axially in a direction parallel to the axis of the pirn or tube when engaged by the material wound thereon, said displacement actuating the adjustable stop means to permit limited movement of the carriage.

28. A winding machine according to claim 19, comprising a former of cone-like shape arranged with its axis parallel to the pirn or tube axis so that the exterior surface of the former can be engaged by the material built up on the pirn or tube, a bracket supporting the former rotatably about its axis and also displaceable in the direction of its axis, said bracket being adjustable so that its spacing from the pirn axis can be varied, the axial displacement of the former being arranged to actuate the adjustable stop means to permit limited movement of the carriage, the diameter of the finished wound material being variable by varying the setting of the adjustable bracket carrying the said former.

FREDERICK CHARLES RAWSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 282,580 Smith Aug. 7, 1883 494,723 Rosskothen Apr. 4, 1893 1,005,405 Adsit Oct. 10, 1911 1,832,628 Grundy Nov. 17, 1931 1,951,951 Schweiter Mar. 20, 1934 2,131,147 Siegenthaler Sept. 27, 1938 2,268,310 Schweiter Dec. 30, 1941 2,369,606 Reiners Feb. 13, 1945 

